“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
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Prominent YouTube personality and influencer Jesse Ridgway and his wife, Ashley, announced in March on their social media platforms that they were expecting their first child. On May 27th, on Jesse’s personal YouTube channel, the couple shared the results of an amniocentesis test, which is used to detect genetic disorders, birth defects, and chromosomal abnormalities.
The couple learned some difficult news concerning their baby from the results of the test, as it revealed that their child had preliminary markers for Trisomy 21, which is commonly referred to as Down Syndrome. The test revealed that their baby had a 95% chance of having Down Syndrome. Ridgway stated that after the test, he was “shocked but optimistic.”
Days later, following the results of the test, Jesse put out a post on social media, evidently after doing research on people with Down syndrome, noting the difficulties of life those with Down Syndrome experience. He quoted stats, such as 50% of Down Syndrome babies have heart defects, more than half of Down Syndrome babies have hearing and vision loss, and that Down Syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability.
Jesse went on to say, “Down Syndrome isn’t a ‘blessing’… I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family … more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.” On June 3rd, heartbreakingly, Jesse announced on Instagram that the couple had decided to terminate the life of their own baby calling it a “difficult decision.” Unfortunately, there is a growing trend of what can rightly be described as eugenics taking place across the globe that is seeing unborn babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome being aborted at disturbingly high levels.
As we evaluate this gut-wrenching situation, it must be stated that every life from the moment of conception has intrinsic worth and dignity as all are image-bearers of Almighty God, regardless of any defects or deformities. Due to that truth, every child should be given every chance to live, as life is a blessing from God. Simply put, no child should be murdered because of the possibility that their life may have difficulties due to physical or intellectual disorders.
LET US PRAY…
Father, please help our nation as a collective whole to understand the truth that every human being at the point of conception has intrinsic worth and value as You have made them in Your image. Lord, please bring Jesse and Ashley Ridgway to a place of repentance for terminating their child. Father, empower us to be courageous in our stand for the dignity of all human life, no matter the physical or intellectual disabilities one might have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.